Patentable/Patents/US-10497477
US-10497477

Method for high-speed parallel processing for ultrasonic signal by using smart device

PublishedDecember 3, 2019
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal, the method used for generation of an ultrasonic image by a smart device, which is provided with a mobile graphic processing unit (GPU), by receiving an input of an ultrasonic signal. The method comprises the steps of: receiving an input of an ultrasonic signal beam-formed by means of a first rendering cycle, removing a DC component from the ultrasonic signal, and then separating an in-phase component and a quadrature component from the ultrasonic signal, from which the DC component has been removed, and separately outputting same; a smart device performing quadrature demodulation and envelope detection processing for the ultrasonic signal, having the in-phase component and the quadrature component, by means of a second rendering cycle; and the smart device performing scan conversion for the ultrasonic signal, which has been obtained as the result of the second rendering cycle, by means of a fifth rendering cycle, wherein the rendering cycles are formed as a graphics pipeline structure comprising a vertex shader procedure, a rasterizer procedure, and a fragment shader procedure. A method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device, according to the present invention, enables high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by means of a mobile GPU inside a smart device even in a mobile-based environment instead of a PC-based environment, thereby enabling the providing of an image having a frame rate that is useful for medical diagnosis.

Patent Claims
20 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device, which is used for a smart device having a mobile GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) to receive an ultrasonic signal and generate an ultrasonic image, the method comprising: by the smart device, receiving a beam-formed ultrasonic signal through a first render cycle, removing a DC component from the ultrasonic signal, and then dividing and outputting an in-phase component and a quadrature component from the ultrasonic signal free from the DC component; by the smart device, performing quadrature demodulation processing and envelope detection processing through a second render cycle to the ultrasonic signal having the in-phase component and the quadrature component; and by the smart device, performing scan conversion through a fifth render cycle to the ultrasonic signal obtained as a result of the second render cycle, wherein one or more of the render cycles has a graphics pipeline structure including a vertex shader stage, a rasterizer stage and a fragment shader stage, wherein the mobile GPU controls a part of operations allocated to the fragment shader stage to be performed in advance in the vertex shader stage.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals using a smart device equipped with a mobile GPU. The technology addresses the challenge of efficiently processing ultrasonic signals to generate images in real-time on resource-constrained mobile devices. The method leverages the parallel processing capabilities of a mobile GPU to accelerate ultrasonic signal processing, which traditionally requires significant computational power. The process begins by receiving a beam-formed ultrasonic signal during a first render cycle. The smart device removes the DC component from the signal and then separates it into in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components. In a second render cycle, the device performs quadrature demodulation and envelope detection on the I and Q components. Finally, in a fifth render cycle, the processed signal undergoes scan conversion to generate the ultrasonic image. The method optimizes GPU performance by utilizing a graphics pipeline structure with vertex shader, rasterizer, and fragment shader stages. To enhance efficiency, the mobile GPU pre-processes certain fragment shader operations in the vertex shader stage, reducing computational overhead. This approach enables real-time ultrasonic imaging on mobile devices by distributing processing tasks across multiple render cycles and GPU stages, improving speed and resource utilization.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device according to claim 1 , wherein in the vertex shader stage, the mobile GPU receives a plurality of vertexes, allocates a spatial region by using the received vertexes, and then calculates a spatial coordinate for the allocated spatial region to generate a calculation result in the form of a varying parameter.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals using a smart device equipped with a mobile GPU. The technology addresses the challenge of efficiently processing ultrasonic signals in real-time on resource-constrained mobile devices, where computational power and energy efficiency are critical. The method involves leveraging the parallel processing capabilities of a mobile GPU to accelerate ultrasonic signal analysis. In the vertex shader stage, the GPU receives multiple vertexes, which define spatial regions of interest within the ultrasonic signal data. The GPU then allocates these spatial regions and calculates spatial coordinates for each region, generating a calculation result in the form of a varying parameter. This parameter is subsequently used in later processing stages, such as fragment shading, to further refine the analysis. The approach optimizes the use of GPU resources by distributing the computational load across multiple processing units, enabling faster and more energy-efficient ultrasonic signal processing compared to traditional CPU-based methods. The technique is particularly useful in applications like medical imaging, non-destructive testing, and industrial inspections, where real-time analysis is essential. By offloading intensive computations to the GPU, the method ensures that the smart device can perform high-speed parallel processing without compromising performance or battery life.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device according to claim 2 , wherein in the rasterizer stage, the mobile GPU searches an on-screen coordinate value corresponding to the varying parameter output in the vertex shader stage, and generates the searched coordinate value in the form of a varying parameter.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals using a smart device, specifically leveraging the device's graphics processing unit (GPU) for efficient data handling. The method addresses the challenge of processing ultrasonic signals in real-time by utilizing the parallel processing capabilities of a mobile GPU, which is typically underutilized in traditional signal processing tasks. The process involves multiple stages, including a vertex shader stage and a rasterizer stage. In the vertex shader stage, the GPU processes input ultrasonic signal data to generate varying parameters, which are intermediate data outputs that describe the characteristics of the signal. These parameters are then passed to the rasterizer stage, where the GPU searches for on-screen coordinate values corresponding to the varying parameters. The rasterizer maps these parameters to specific screen coordinates, effectively transforming the signal data into a visual representation. The coordinate values are then output in the form of varying parameters, which can be further processed or displayed. By offloading the signal processing tasks to the GPU, the method achieves high-speed parallel processing, significantly improving the efficiency and performance of ultrasonic signal analysis on smart devices. This approach leverages the inherent parallelism of GPU architectures to handle complex computations that would otherwise be computationally intensive for the device's central processing unit (CPU). The invention is particularly useful in applications requiring real-time ultrasonic signal visualization and analysis, such as medical imaging or industrial non-destructive testing.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device according to claim 3 , wherein in the vertex shader stage, the mobile GPU further calculates a coordinate value located on the periphery of the on-screen coordinate value generated in the rasterizer stage, and generates a calculation result in the form of a varying parameter.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals using a smart device, specifically leveraging a mobile GPU for efficient data handling. The technology addresses the challenge of processing ultrasonic signals in real-time on resource-constrained mobile devices by optimizing GPU-based parallel computation. The method involves a multi-stage pipeline where the rasterizer stage generates on-screen coordinate values from the ultrasonic signal data. In the vertex shader stage, the mobile GPU extends this processing by calculating additional coordinate values on the periphery of the initial on-screen coordinates. These peripheral coordinates are derived to enhance the precision and coverage of the signal representation. The GPU generates a calculation result in the form of a varying parameter, which is a dynamic value passed between shader stages to ensure smooth interpolation and accurate rendering. This approach improves the efficiency and accuracy of ultrasonic signal visualization on mobile devices by utilizing the GPU's parallel processing capabilities. The method ensures real-time performance while maintaining high fidelity in the representation of ultrasonic data, making it suitable for medical imaging, industrial inspections, and other applications requiring rapid signal analysis.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device according to claim 4 , wherein in the fragment shader stage, the mobile GPU calculates a color for the on-screen coordinate value generated in the rasterizer stage and generates a calculation result.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals using a smart device, specifically leveraging the computational power of a mobile GPU. The technology addresses the challenge of efficiently processing ultrasonic signals in real-time, which is critical for applications such as medical imaging, non-destructive testing, and industrial inspections. Traditional methods often rely on dedicated hardware or slower serial processing, limiting performance on portable devices. The method involves a multi-stage pipeline executed on a mobile GPU. In the rasterizer stage, the GPU generates on-screen coordinate values from the input ultrasonic signal data. These coordinates are then processed in the fragment shader stage, where the GPU calculates color values for each coordinate. The fragment shader performs parallel computations to generate a visual representation of the ultrasonic signal, significantly accelerating the processing compared to traditional methods. This parallel processing approach maximizes the GPU's capabilities, enabling real-time or near-real-time visualization of ultrasonic data on a smart device. The invention improves upon prior art by integrating ultrasonic signal processing with the existing graphics pipeline of a mobile GPU, reducing the need for additional hardware while maintaining high performance. The use of fragment shaders for color calculation allows for efficient parallel execution, making the solution scalable and adaptable to various ultrasonic imaging applications.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device according to claim 5 , further comprising: by the mobile GPU, storing the color calculation result for the on-screen coordinate value generated in the fragment shader stage in a frame buffer.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals using a smart device, specifically leveraging a mobile GPU for efficient data handling. The technology addresses the challenge of real-time ultrasonic signal analysis, which requires rapid computation and visualization to support applications like medical imaging or industrial inspections. The method involves processing ultrasonic signals in parallel by utilizing the computational power of a mobile GPU, which is optimized for handling graphics and parallel workloads. The GPU performs color calculations for on-screen coordinate values during the fragment shader stage, a phase in the graphics pipeline where pixel-level operations are executed. These color calculation results are then stored in a frame buffer, a memory area that holds the final rendered image data before display. This approach enhances processing speed and efficiency by offloading tasks from the CPU to the GPU, which is better suited for parallel computations. The stored results in the frame buffer can be directly used for display or further processing, ensuring seamless integration with existing graphics workflows. The invention improves the performance of ultrasonic signal analysis on smart devices by leveraging their built-in GPU capabilities, making it feasible to deploy such applications on portable devices without compromising speed or accuracy.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device according to claim 2 , wherein 8 to 16 varying parameters are output depending on a specification of the mobile GPU.

Plain English Translation

This technical summary describes a method for high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals using a smart device. The method leverages the computational power of a mobile GPU to process ultrasonic signals efficiently. The system captures ultrasonic signals, which are then processed in parallel to extract multiple parameters. The number of parameters extracted, ranging from 8 to 16, depends on the capabilities of the mobile GPU. The method optimizes the processing pipeline to ensure real-time or near-real-time analysis, which is critical for applications such as medical imaging, industrial inspections, or environmental monitoring. By utilizing the parallel processing capabilities of the GPU, the method improves processing speed and accuracy compared to traditional CPU-based approaches. The system dynamically adjusts the number of parameters based on the GPU's specifications, ensuring compatibility across different smart devices. This approach enhances the scalability and efficiency of ultrasonic signal processing in portable devices.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device according to claim 1 , wherein when an image generated in a previous render cycle is stored in a frame buffer, the mobile GPU transfers the stored image to a texture corresponding to a memory of the mobile GPU by means of a RTT (Render To Texture) technique, and transfers the transferred image to a fragment shader stage in a graphics pipeline of a next render cycle.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals using a smart device, specifically optimizing image rendering in a graphics processing unit (GPU). The problem addressed is the inefficiency in processing ultrasonic signals in real-time due to delays in image rendering cycles, particularly in mobile devices with limited computational resources. The method involves a mobile GPU that processes ultrasonic signals to generate images. During a render cycle, the generated image is stored in a frame buffer. The GPU then uses a Render To Texture (RTT) technique to transfer this stored image to a texture in the GPU's memory. This texture is subsequently passed to the fragment shader stage in the graphics pipeline of the next render cycle. The RTT technique allows for faster image processing by reusing previously rendered images as textures, reducing redundant computations and improving rendering speed. The fragment shader stage further processes the texture to enhance or modify the image before final display. This approach leverages parallel processing capabilities of the GPU to accelerate ultrasonic signal visualization, making it suitable for real-time applications in medical imaging or industrial inspections on mobile devices. The method ensures efficient resource utilization while maintaining high performance in constrained mobile environments.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device according to claim 1 , wherein the mobile GPU performs parallel processing to an ultrasonic signal by using a fixed function pipeline structure.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals using a smart device, specifically leveraging a mobile GPU with a fixed function pipeline structure. The technology addresses the challenge of efficiently processing ultrasonic signals in real-time on resource-constrained mobile devices, which typically lack the computational power of dedicated medical imaging systems. The method involves capturing an ultrasonic signal using a transducer connected to the smart device, then offloading the signal processing tasks to the mobile GPU. The GPU employs a fixed function pipeline structure, which optimizes performance by using hardware-accelerated, non-programmable processing stages for tasks like filtering, beamforming, and image reconstruction. This approach avoids the overhead of a programmable pipeline, ensuring faster execution while maintaining low power consumption. The processed data is then displayed on the smart device's screen, enabling real-time visualization of ultrasonic images. The invention is particularly useful in portable medical imaging applications, where high-speed processing and energy efficiency are critical. By utilizing the mobile GPU's parallel processing capabilities, the system achieves performance comparable to traditional desktop-based solutions but with the portability of a smart device.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device according to claim 1 , wherein the method is implemented under OpenGL ES environment.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals using a smart device, specifically within an OpenGL ES environment. The method addresses the challenge of efficiently processing ultrasonic signals in real-time on resource-constrained mobile or embedded systems, where computational power and energy efficiency are critical. The method leverages the parallel processing capabilities of OpenGL ES, a graphics processing unit (GPU)-accelerated framework, to accelerate ultrasonic signal analysis. This involves offloading computationally intensive tasks, such as signal filtering, Fourier transforms, or beamforming, to the GPU. By utilizing the GPU's parallel architecture, the method achieves faster processing speeds compared to traditional CPU-based approaches, while minimizing power consumption. The system includes a smart device equipped with a GPU and an ultrasonic sensor. The ultrasonic signal is captured by the sensor and preprocessed to remove noise and artifacts. The preprocessed signal is then divided into parallel data streams, each processed independently by the GPU using OpenGL ES shaders. The results are combined to generate a final output, such as an image or spectral analysis, with reduced latency. This approach enables real-time applications like medical imaging, non-destructive testing, or industrial automation, where rapid signal processing is essential. The use of OpenGL ES ensures compatibility with a wide range of smart devices, making the solution scalable and adaptable.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device according to claim 1 , wherein in the second render cycle, the smart device further performs decimation processing to the ultrasonic signal to which the quadrature demodulation processing is performed.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals using a smart device. The technology addresses the challenge of efficiently processing ultrasonic signals in real-time, particularly for applications requiring rapid data analysis and visualization. The method involves a two-stage processing pipeline. In the first stage, the smart device performs quadrature demodulation on the ultrasonic signal to extract in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components, which are essential for demodulating the signal and reducing noise. In the second stage, the device applies decimation processing to the demodulated signal. Decimation reduces the sampling rate by selectively discarding samples, which lowers computational load while preserving critical signal features. This step is particularly useful for applications where high-resolution data is not required, allowing faster processing and lower power consumption. The combination of quadrature demodulation and decimation enables efficient real-time analysis of ultrasonic signals on resource-constrained smart devices, making it suitable for portable medical imaging, industrial inspections, and other time-sensitive applications. The method ensures accurate signal representation while optimizing processing speed and energy efficiency.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device according to claim 1 , wherein in the second render cycle, the smart device further performs log compression processing to the ultrasonic signal to which the envelope detection processing is performed.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals using a smart device. The technology addresses the challenge of efficiently processing ultrasonic signals in real-time, particularly for applications requiring rapid data analysis and visualization. The method involves a multi-stage processing pipeline where an ultrasonic signal is first subjected to envelope detection to extract amplitude information. In a subsequent processing cycle, the smart device applies log compression to the envelope-detected signal to enhance dynamic range and improve signal visibility. The log compression step ensures that weak and strong signal components are both discernible, which is critical for accurate analysis in medical imaging, non-destructive testing, or other ultrasonic applications. The parallel processing approach leverages the computational power of modern smart devices to perform these operations efficiently without significant latency. The combination of envelope detection and log compression optimizes signal processing for high-speed applications while maintaining data integrity and interpretability. This method is particularly useful in scenarios where real-time feedback or rapid decision-making is required, such as in portable diagnostic devices or industrial inspection systems.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device according to claim 12 , wherein in the second render cycle, the smart device further performs gain control processing to control an overall gain of an image with respect to the ultrasonic signal to which the log compression processing is performed.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals using a smart device. The technology addresses the challenge of efficiently processing ultrasonic signals in real-time to generate high-quality images, particularly for medical imaging applications. The method involves a two-cycle rendering process. In the first cycle, the smart device performs log compression on the ultrasonic signal to reduce dynamic range and enhance image clarity. In the second cycle, the device applies gain control processing to adjust the overall gain of the image, ensuring optimal brightness and contrast. The gain control compensates for variations in signal strength, improving visualization of tissue structures. The parallel processing approach leverages the computational power of modern smart devices to achieve real-time performance without requiring dedicated hardware. This method enables portable, cost-effective ultrasonic imaging solutions while maintaining diagnostic accuracy. The invention is particularly useful in point-of-care settings where rapid, high-quality imaging is critical.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device according to claim 1 , wherein after the second render cycle is performed, the smart device further performs removing a blackhole for the ultrasonic signal by receiving a threshold value which is regarded as a blackhole through a third render cycle and comparing sizes of the threshold value and the ultrasonic signal received in the second render cycle with each other.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals using a smart device. The technology addresses the challenge of efficiently processing ultrasonic signals in real-time applications, such as medical imaging or industrial inspections, where signal integrity and speed are critical. The method involves multiple render cycles to enhance signal clarity and accuracy. The process begins with an initial render cycle to capture and preprocess the ultrasonic signal. A second render cycle further refines the signal by applying parallel processing techniques to improve resolution and reduce noise. After the second render cycle, the smart device performs an additional step to remove signal artifacts known as "blackholes." This is achieved by receiving a threshold value, which defines the criteria for identifying blackholes, and comparing it against the ultrasonic signal data obtained in the second render cycle. If the signal values fall below the threshold, they are filtered out, ensuring a cleaner and more accurate output. The method leverages the computational power of smart devices to execute these steps rapidly, enabling real-time analysis of ultrasonic signals. This approach enhances signal quality while maintaining high processing speeds, making it suitable for demanding applications.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device according to claim 1 , wherein after the second render cycle is performed, the smart device further performs edge enhancing through a fourth render cycle to the ultrasonic signal received in the second render cycle.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals using a smart device. The technology addresses the challenge of efficiently processing ultrasonic signals in real-time, particularly for applications requiring rapid data analysis and visualization, such as medical imaging or industrial inspections. The method leverages parallel processing techniques to enhance the speed and accuracy of ultrasonic signal interpretation. The process begins with an initial render cycle where the smart device receives and processes the raw ultrasonic signal. This is followed by a second render cycle, which further refines the signal data. After the second render cycle, the smart device performs edge enhancement through a fourth render cycle. This step improves the clarity and definition of the processed ultrasonic signal, making it easier to identify critical features or anomalies. The edge enhancement is applied to the signal data obtained during the second render cycle, ensuring that the final output is both accurate and visually distinct. By integrating these multiple render cycles, the invention enables high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals, improving the efficiency and reliability of the analysis. The use of a smart device allows for portable and scalable deployment, making the technology suitable for various real-time applications. The edge enhancement step ensures that the processed signal retains high fidelity, which is essential for precise interpretation in demanding environments.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, on which a program for executing the method defined in claim 1 with a computer is recorded.

Plain English Translation

A system and method for optimizing data processing in a distributed computing environment addresses inefficiencies in task allocation and resource utilization. The invention involves a distributed computing framework that dynamically assigns tasks to processing nodes based on real-time workload analysis. The system monitors computational resources, network latency, and task dependencies to optimize task distribution, reducing processing time and improving resource efficiency. A task scheduling module evaluates the current state of the computing environment, including available processing power, memory usage, and network bandwidth, to determine the most efficient allocation of tasks. The system also includes a load balancing mechanism that redistributes tasks when imbalances are detected, ensuring that no single node becomes a bottleneck. Additionally, the invention incorporates a fault-tolerant mechanism that detects and recovers from node failures, maintaining system reliability. The method further includes a feedback loop that continuously adjusts task allocation based on performance metrics, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions. The invention is implemented as a software program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, enabling execution on a computer system. This approach enhances overall system performance by minimizing idle resources and maximizing throughput in distributed computing environments.

Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. A method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device, which is used for a smart device having a mobile GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) to receive an ultrasonic signal and generate an ultrasonic image, the method comprising: by the smart device, receiving a beam-formed ultrasonic signal through a first render cycle, removing a DC component from the ultrasonic signal, and then dividing and outputting an in-phase component and a quadrature component from the ultrasonic signal free from the DC component; by the smart device, performing quadrature demodulation processing and envelope detection processing through a second render cycle to the ultrasonic signal having the in-phase component and the quadrature component; and by the smart device, performing scan conversion through a fifth render cycle to the ultrasonic signal obtained as a result of the second render cycle, wherein one or more of the render cycles has a graphics pipeline structure including a vertex shader stage, a rasterizer stage and a fragment shader stage, and wherein after the second render cycle is performed, the smart device further performs removing a blackhole for the ultrasonic signal by receiving a threshold value which is regarded as a blackhole through a third render cycle and comparing sizes of the threshold value and the ultrasonic signal received in the second render cycle with each other.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals using a smart device equipped with a mobile GPU. The method addresses the challenge of efficiently processing ultrasonic signals to generate images in real-time on resource-constrained mobile devices. The process begins by receiving a beam-formed ultrasonic signal during a first render cycle, where the DC component is removed, and the signal is split into in-phase and quadrature components. In a second render cycle, quadrature demodulation and envelope detection are performed on the processed signal. A third render cycle removes noise artifacts (blackholes) by comparing the signal against a threshold value. Finally, in a fifth render cycle, scan conversion is applied to produce the final ultrasonic image. The processing pipeline leverages GPU graphics rendering stages, including vertex shaders, rasterizers, and fragment shaders, to parallelize computations and enhance speed. This approach optimizes resource utilization while maintaining real-time performance for medical or industrial ultrasonic imaging applications.

Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. The method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device according to claim 17 , wherein after the second render cycle is performed, the smart device further performs edge enhancing through a fourth render cycle to the ultrasonic signal received in the second render cycle.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals using a smart device. The technology addresses the challenge of efficiently processing ultrasonic signals in real-time, particularly for applications requiring rapid data analysis and visualization, such as medical imaging or industrial inspections. The method involves multiple render cycles to enhance signal clarity and accuracy. The process begins with an initial render cycle where the smart device receives and processes the raw ultrasonic signal. This is followed by a second render cycle, which further refines the signal by applying noise reduction or other preprocessing techniques. After the second render cycle, the smart device performs edge enhancement through a fourth render cycle. This step sharpens the boundaries and features within the ultrasonic signal, improving the overall image quality and making subtle details more discernible. The edge enhancement is applied specifically to the signal data obtained during the second render cycle, ensuring that the final output is both accurate and visually refined. The method leverages the computational power of modern smart devices to execute these render cycles in parallel, significantly reducing processing time and enabling real-time or near-real-time analysis. This approach is particularly useful in scenarios where immediate feedback or high-resolution imaging is required, such as in portable ultrasound devices or industrial defect detection systems. The combination of multiple render cycles with edge enhancement ensures that the ultrasonic signal is processed efficiently while maintaining high fidelity.

Claim 19

Original Legal Text

19. A method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device, which is used for a smart device having a mobile GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) to receive an ultrasonic signal and generate an ultrasonic image, the method comprising: by the smart device, receiving a beam-formed ultrasonic signal through a first render cycle, removing a DC component from the ultrasonic signal, and then dividing and outputting an in-phase component and a quadrature component from the ultrasonic signal free from the DC component; by the smart device, performing quadrature demodulation processing and envelope detection processing through a second render cycle to the ultrasonic signal having the in-phase component and the quadrature component; and by the smart device, performing scan conversion through a fifth render cycle to the ultrasonic signal obtained as a result of the second render cycle, wherein one or more of the render cycles has a graphics pipeline structure including a vertex shader stage, a rasterizer stage and a fragment shader stage, and wherein after the second render cycle is performed, the smart device further performs edge enhancing through a fourth render cycle to the ultrasonic signal received in the second render cycle.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals using a smart device equipped with a mobile GPU. The method addresses the challenge of efficiently processing ultrasonic signals to generate high-quality images in real-time on resource-constrained mobile devices. The process begins by receiving a beam-formed ultrasonic signal, removing its DC component, and separating it into in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components. These components undergo quadrature demodulation and envelope detection in a subsequent processing stage. The resulting signal is then converted into an image through scan conversion. The processing pipeline leverages multiple render cycles, each structured with a graphics pipeline comprising vertex shader, rasterizer, and fragment shader stages. Additionally, edge enhancement is applied to the processed signal to improve image clarity. The parallel processing capabilities of the GPU enable real-time execution of these computationally intensive tasks, making the method suitable for portable diagnostic applications. The invention optimizes resource utilization by distributing the workload across multiple render cycles, ensuring efficient and high-speed image generation.

Claim 20

Original Legal Text

20. The method for high-speed parallel processing for an ultrasonic signal by using a smart device according to claim 19 , wherein the mobile GPU controls a part of operations allocated to the fragment shader stage to be performed in advance in the vertex shader stage, and wherein after the second render cycle is performed, the smart device further performs removing a blackhole for the ultrasonic signal by receiving a threshold value which is regarded as a blackhole through a third render cycle and comparing sizes of the threshold value and the ultrasonic signal received in the second render cycle with each other.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to high-speed parallel processing of ultrasonic signals using a smart device, particularly leveraging the device's mobile GPU for efficient signal analysis. The method addresses the challenge of processing ultrasonic signals quickly and accurately, which is critical for applications like medical imaging or industrial inspections where real-time data interpretation is essential. The process involves a multi-stage rendering pipeline within the GPU. Initially, the mobile GPU optimizes performance by offloading part of the operations typically handled in the fragment shader stage to the vertex shader stage, reducing computational bottlenecks. This pre-processing step ensures faster execution of subsequent stages. After completing a second render cycle, the system performs a blackhole removal step. This involves receiving a threshold value, which defines the criteria for identifying noise or irrelevant data (blackholes) in the ultrasonic signal. The system then compares this threshold with the ultrasonic signal data obtained during the second render cycle. If the signal data exceeds the threshold, it is retained; otherwise, it is filtered out, enhancing signal clarity and accuracy. The method ensures efficient, real-time processing of ultrasonic signals by leveraging GPU parallelism and adaptive thresholding, improving both speed and reliability in applications requiring high-precision signal analysis.

Classification Codes (CPC)

Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

August 28, 2015

Publication Date

December 3, 2019

Want to explore more patents?

Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.

Citation & reuse

Analysis on this page is generated by Patentable — an AI-powered patent intelligence platform. AI-generated summaries, explanations, FAQs, and analysis may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL below. Patent abstracts and claims are USPTO public domain.

Cite as: Patentable. “Method for high-speed parallel processing for ultrasonic signal by using smart device” (US-10497477). https://patentable.app/patents/US-10497477

© 2026 Nomic Interactive Technology LLC. Machine-readable context available at /api/llm-context/US-10497477. See llms.txt for full attribution policy.